Green stuck in transatlantic focus

Green stuck in transatlantic focus
(FIFA.com) Sunday 13 June 2010
Crumbs of comfort will have been in short supply for Robert Green the morning after the night before. However, if there is one thing for which the under-fire keeper can be grateful, it is that he is not in England to read the Sunday newspapers. Coverage of Green's slip has been predictably merciless, with journalists and former players alike lampooning the West Ham United No1. Two competing titles, the News of the World and Sunday Mirror, even opted for the same, cruel lead headline "Hand of Clod".

In stirring memories of another infamous and costly FIFA World Cup™ goal for the Three Lions, these tabloids tapped into early concerns about England's prospects in South Africa. The Mirror's match report even reflected gloomily that, just as the 1966 triumph was inspired by West Ham heroes Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst, another Hammer might just have ended their 2010 dreams. "It was said when England won the World Cup that it was a triumph forged at West Ham," the Mirror's correspondent wrote. "After events in the Royal Bafokeng Stadium last night it can only be hoped that another member of the Upton Park fraternity hasn't dropped the trophy the nation has craved ever since."

The Sunday Times reflected that while Green had "imploded", England's failings against USA did not begin and end with their goalkeeper. "The myth that England are among the favourites for these finals appeared to explode,” wrote their man in Rustenburg. The Observer too acknowledged a wider problem, commenting: "The American goal may have been a fluke, yet it came about because England were defending too deep and allowing their opponents to take pot shots."